Valve op ... done back home , back to posting about my expperiences

[kentishbunny1]

Hello all I am back from my valve surgery. Had operation on Tuesday afternoon and arrived back home yesterday Sunday evening. Good journey as they provided a patient transfer service home, Kings College London is a long way from the seaside where i live ! Cannot fault the hospital the staff work so hard with such professionalism it is true what has been said on other posts you feel very well cared for. I am absolutely knackered but intend to post again to let you know what happened , but I am here , yay, and have felt I have made improvements already !

[Zena166]

That’s brilliant news. Such a relief for you. Take it one day at a time and build on each day so that you gradually build up your stamina and fitness levels. Look after yourself. Big hugs. Zena xx

[Fredders]

That’s wonderful news. I had both my AVR ops at Glenfields in Leicester and cannot fault the staff there, nothing was too much trouble and I was well looked after - even if it did take me several cancelled appointments toget there, but that wasn’t down to the staff, just people needing the bed more than me.

Getting through the op is step one, getting home is step two and now you’re on step three - the road to recovery. I slept a lot in my recliner when I first got home but as you have already said it doesn’t take long to see improvements. Just beware of thinking you feel better than you do and overdoing it, a place a lot of us have been and usually means you feel sore and knackered the following day 😜.

I hope your recovery continues to go well. Keep us posted and remember we are all here for you if you need us, support is as important after the op as it is before.

Wendy

[francesw47]

Brilliant news! I am sure you will feel so much better in your own home. Shame the weather isn't better, being beside the sea can cheer anyone up on a sunny day! As already said, take each day as it comes, don't overdo it, rest, eat well and you will feel wonderful in a few weeks.

The staff at Kings are stars and the whole set up there designed to make you feel cared for and safe, whilst ensuring you leave hospital in a timely manner.

I found walking daily (x 2) for a short time was the best way forward = I used to count lampposts, ie 'I'll get to that lamppost today, the next one tomorrow' and so on, until I was walking comfortably and briskly for 30 minutes (in about 6 weeks). Do attend cardiac rehab - I found this such a tonic and was full of people like me all struggling for a level of fitness.

Do keep posting and let us know how your recovery goes.

[Amikatari]

Hi, I’m glad to hear you’re safely back home and that the hospital staff were so good. I hope things continue to improve for you.

Do you mind if I ask which valve you had done, and whether it was a repair or a replacement? I’m having my aortic valve replaced with an artificial one soon.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Glad to hear it went well. Don't be in a rush to come off pain killers as pain slows recovery! There will be the odd day when you feel you are making no progress but don't worry about it as if you push to hard you can go backwards!

[Nic25]

Hi Kentishbunny1. That's brilliant news, so pleased for you that it went well - that's a pretty quick turnaround you had! To echo what everyone else here has said, take it easy and pace yourself. I started gentle walking after a few days and just built from there. But I also had days where, despite not having done much at all the day before (if anything in fact), I was completely washed out and you just have to go with it, accept it for what it is and listen to your body. Your body has taken a battering and will take time to recover. I felt in a fog of tiredness for about the first six weeks, but it did gradually lift. But the difference I felt in heart function almost immediately was amazing - and I hope it will be the same for you. Good luck with getting back on the mend - hopefully it's going to be a great summer for you! Keep us posted how you're doing (if you're not too busy living life to the full by then).

Best

Nic x